Blu-ray may be the hottest new way to watch movies, but that doesn’t mean it can’t embrace an old classic. Thanks to Twentieth Century Fox, the Academy Film Archive and The Film Foundation you can experience The Robe on DVD and Blu-ray March 17th.
The Robe hit theaters back in 1953. Yes, it did take home a number of Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor, but what made the film such a big phenomenon was that it was the first film to be released in CinemaScope. It took over a year and half to complete the restoration process necessary to create The Robe: Special Edition and have it ready for the public just in time for Easter.
The picture may have been upgraded to attain pristine quality, but the story is still the same. Marcellus Gallio (Richard Burton) is a Roman centurion who is sent to Jerusalem to command the crucifixion of Jesus. While gambling with other soldiers, Marcellus wins the robe Jesus wore to his death. After suffering hallucinations and nightmares he determines they must be a result of a curse from the robe. Unfortunately, the robe is now in the hands of an escaped slave named Demetrius (Victor Mature). Marcellus sets out to find him somewhere in the Middle East believing that the destruction of the robe will free him of this curse.
This is a great film to have on your shelf for historical purposes. The Blu-ray edition even comes with a featurette about the history of CinemaScope. The importance of this edition of The Robe is also reflected in the massive amount of work required to modernize an old film. It may have take over a year and a half to have the film ready for DVD and Blu-ray, but the work didn’t even stop there. Both the DVD and Blu-ray versions are packed with an impressive amount bonus material. Come March 17th, if you’re looking to get into the holiday spirit, this disc, for $19.98 on DVD or $34.99 on Blu-ray, may be just the ticket.
- DVD Bonus Features
- Introduction by Martin Scorsese
- Commentary with Film Composer David Newman and Film Historians Jon Burlingame, Julie Kirgo and Nick Redman
- The Making of The Robe Featurette
- The Music of The Robe: Alfred Newman’s Score isolated Music Track
- Still Galleries
- Interactive Pressbook
- Blu-Ray Bonus Features
- Introduction by Martin Scorsese (in HD)
- Vintage Celebrity Introductions by Richard Widmark, Susan Hayworth, Robert Wagner, Clifton Webb and Dan Dailey
- The CinemaScope Story Featurette
- From Scripture to Script: The Bible and Hollywood Featurette
- BONUSVIEW Picture-in-Picture Mode: The Robe Times Two: A Comparison of Widescreen and Standard Versions, A Seamless Faith: The Real-Life Search for The Robe Featurettes (Inspiration, The Clothes of Christ, Clothes in Biblical Times, Clothes of a King, A Seamless Garment, The Robe on Page & Screen, The Robe and Politics, The Robe in Our World, The Robe in France & Russia and History vs. Drama)
- Audio Interview with Screenwriter Philip Dunne (1969)
- Movietone News: CinemaScope Hailed by Public and Press, Broadway Hails The Robe in CinemaScope, The Robe (Christian Herald Award), Millionth Patron Sees The Robe and) CinemaScope and The Robe Win Oscars
- Trailers / TV Spots
- Poster Gallery / Lobby Cards
